CHAPTER EIGHT:
PROMISE NOT TO DIE

SHE STARTED TO PLACE HER things in the trunk of her car, a huff falling from her lips as she examined her bow before nodding to herself and placing it in the trunk of her car and then closing it. She placed her hands on her hips, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. The sound of footsteps coming towards her grabbed her attention. She turned her head, smiling as she looked at her brother. She knew that he was worried about her, he had taken it upon himself to let her know that several times. He tucked his hands in his pockets as he came to as top in front of her.

     Lilianna rolled her eyes as she looked at him. "Stop it, Grayson."

     "I'm not doing anything." He scoffed.

     Lilianna narrowed her eyes at him. "You're worrying. It's annoying as all holy hell."

     "Can't an older brother be worried for his little sister?" Grayson questioned her.

      "Not when his little sister has done this many times before, and not once has he worried about her this much." Lilianna crossed her arms over her chest. "Grayson, I don't understand why you're so worried about me. I've done this many many times before. And not once have you showcased this much fear about me going somewhere. I've been to California before and you barely blinked an eye. So, be honest with me, what's going on?"

     "Nothing's going on." Grayson shook his head. "I'm just being an older brother for once in my life."

     "Gray."

     A sigh fell from Grayson's lips. "Lily, you know I want what's best for you and you alone. I always have.  And if you think going on this mission is what's best, then I cannot stop you from going. But I've heard a lot of things about Mystic Falls, and I know that you have as well. It's a dangerous place, a lot of supernatural happenings take place there. I don't want you to get hurt, alright?"

     "Gray, you don't have to worry about me." Lilianna shook her head, she placed her hands on her brother's shoulders. "I will be perfectly fine, alright? And I will give you thirty minute text updates if you truly want me to."

     "I would like that very much."

     Lilianna rolled her eyes. "I love you, Grayson. And I will see you when I complete this mission. I will see you as soon as Hope Mikaelson is dead. And say nothing else because Talia Stark is headed straight for us." She muttered the last part to her brother and the two were quick to turn their attention towards Talia who had a small smile on her face.

     "My darling children." Talia greeted, placing a hand on both of their cheeks. "I see you are all packed and ready to leave for Virginia." She looked towards her daughter as she said this. "If you want to make it before lunch time, you might want to leave right now. You've already gotten a late start, we don't want you to arrive just before sunset. It gives you absolutely no time to prepare or plan."

     "You're talking to me as if I've never done this before." Lilianna scoffed. "I know what I'm doing mother."

     "I'm just trying to make sure you're prepared, sweetheart." Talia defended herself. "Grayson shouldn't be out here holding you up. You should've left thirty minutes ago."

     "Oh, I'm sorry." Grayson placed a hand on his chest as he turned to look at Lilianna who was already looking at him, trying to hide her amusement. "I apologize, dear sister, for holding you up in order to tell you I love you and don't die."

     "It's alright, oh brother of mine, I love you too, and I promise not to die." The two shared amused smiles with one another, and Talia just shook her head before giving her child a kiss on the forehead as a goodbye before walking away. Lilianna watched her go, and a sad smile made it's way onto her face. She looked back at her brother once her mother went inside.

     "Ignore her." Grayson shook his head. "You know how she is."

     "You know, I haven't heard my mom say that she loves me in the longest time and truly mean it." Lilianna whispered, swallowing back the tears that wanted to surface. She looked at Grayson and smiled. "I'll call you when I'm safe."

     "You better." Grayson smiled before pulling his sister into a hug. She buried her face in the crook of his neck. "She does love you."

     Lilianna nodded. "I know."

     They pulled away and Grayson placed a kiss on Lilianna's forehead. "I love you, sis. And be safe out there, you hear?"

     "Always." She offered him one last smile before she entered her car, fixing her mirror until she could see her brother in it. She softly sighed before quickly turning the car on and pulling out of the driveway, smiling as her brother waved her goodbye, only going inside when he could no longer see her vehicle.

Lilianna softly sighed, adjusting her grip on the steering wheel. She was excited for the mission that she's been stressing so much about to be over. She couldn't wait to get back home, to hang out with her brother, even though she'd much rather avoid her mother for the rest of her life. She shook her head, clearing her head of the thoughts that involved her family. Now, the only thing that was allowed to be on her mind was the mission, and figuring out the plan to kill Hope Mikaelson.